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Annotated Bibliography

Costa, Cassie da. “Kendrick Lamar's Lyrics Get the Images They Deserve in the Video for

‘Element.".” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 29 June 2017,

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/kendrick-lamars-lyrics-get-the-images-

they-deserve-in-the-video-for-element.

The thesis of Cassie da Costa’s authorship asserts that the Element’s lyrics deserve the

images assigned to them in the video before going ahead to make a comparison n of how

the it begins to Beyonce’s Formation. Costa who writes for The New Yorker continues to

observe the violence that exists in the video with some scenes borrowed from Gordon

Parks. Because according to him the video aesthetics are not additional but essential makes

helps Lamar show the life around his environment and that of the African Americans. He

compares Element’s video to that of Got ’Til It’s Gone in its sound, movement, and how

they transform the historical moments as well utilizing African culture.

Costa’s work is significant in the research as it shows how Lamar uses his lyrical prowess

and ability to direct videos. His analysis notices how the producers, directors, and those

who inspired the video use representation and photography to complement Lamar’s

mastery of lyrics and rhyme. Through the use of these elements, the video is able to

maintain the presence of the subjects successfully. Using Costa’s analysis provide a
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framework for arguing that Kendrick Lamar’s video of Element is focused towards

showing personal experiences rather than of the entire society.

Puschak, Evan. “Element: How Kendrick Lamar Collaborates” YouTube, YouTube, 30 June

2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqGKMaCAao4.

In the video, Evan Puschak who uses the name Nerdwriter1 provides an analytical yet

critical meaning of Kendrick Lamar’s video of Element. Puschak is known for his analysis

of not just music videos but also other subjects like art and politics. He includes analyses of

artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and politicians such as Donald Trump among other

topics he covers. In the analysis of Element, he begins by making an observation that music

videos are just add-ons to the music. In fact, it limits the music by closing down the way

the audience experiences the music. Element, according to Puschak, is one of the videos

that shows Lamar’s ability to collaborate not only with other musicians but also producers

and directors.

The emphasis on violence provides a theme that is generally depicted in the video.

Kendrick in the video is not sure his contribution to the violence that exists in the African

American society but is certain that music is not the problem. This video analysis is

significant in justifying the assertion that videos are a distinct part of the music. Only that

Lamar uses his video to complement the music lyrical content.